How to charge the iPad Mini when staying in Laos

A page on how to power your iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter, recharging the iPad Mini using a two pinned Type E USB adapter and powering the iPad Mini using a two pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Lao power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and standards can often be daunting when planning to visit a different country if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of standards being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge your iPad Mini in Laos. If you are staying in Laos the following instructions show charging your iPad Mini using their F, C or E type 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. When you are travelling to Laos from a different region double check your iPad Mini can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Laos

Can the iPad Mini be used in Laos?

You can connect the iPad Mini to a Lao power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in Laos?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPad Mini or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel charger for Laos is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Laos use three different types of wall outlets (F, C and E) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices. Having a four port charger means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel adapters on your trip to Laos or occupying additional power outlets. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad Mini at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel on a regular basis we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter at your preferred electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Laos

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of regions with unreliable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Laos and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Laos using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Laos. [9] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in Laos?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet

Using a USB Lightning cable and a Type C power charger to power your iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Mini using a Lao power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually supply this cable with your iPad Mini).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Lao power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 holes next to each other where the two pins slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter to recharge the iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini from the Lao power outlet you'll need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should usually supply this cable when you first purchase your iPad Mini.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter in the Lao power outlet. The recessed circular power outlet (called a CEE 7/7 outlet or Type E power outlet [6]) can be identified by the two large circular adjacent holes and one metal earth pin protruding in the top forming a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple USB Lightning charging cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Schuko Type F power charger to power your iPad Mini from a Lao power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Mini from the Lao power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should typically supply this USB cable with your iPad Mini.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Lao power outlet. The sunken round power supply, also called a Type F power outlet [8] or Schuko outlet, can be recognised by the two large round adjacent holes and thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple USB Lightning charging cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Lao page on wikipedia.org
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  6. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..